There’s a long way to go in the offseason, and the USC football team has a lot of key moves to make before the 2026 season starts, but ahead of the Alamo Bowl versus TCU, the Trojans‘ future is coming into focus.
Lincoln Riley is sticking around, despite the silly rumors that pop up every offseason that he could consider leaving. D’Anton Lynn is not staying; he is headed to Penn State to coach alongside Matt Campbell. Several Big Ten schools have made big coaching hires, including Kyle Whittingham to Michigan. Amidst it all, USC’s 2026 roster is going to be one of the most stacked in college football, featuring key returners, top recruits and hopefully a few choice transfers.
In this era of bowl game opt outs and general indifference, that is what Trojan fans had to be excited about. Led by Jayden Maiava, many of the Trojans’ current stars have stuck around for next season and as a result, are playing in this game. USC was defined more by its absences than the guys that played, though. The offense couldn’t put together anything consistent and the defense missed key tackles at the biggest moments. Ultimately, the Trojans led most of the game, and still inexplicably lost 30-27 in overtime.
It’s always great to see your favorite players on your favorite team play football. It’s even better when you can do that AND dream big about their future at your school. Unfortunately, USC did not inspire much if any belief in their 2026 roster. Even returning starting quarterback Jayden Maiava played poorly. We can only hope that USC is motivated by this loss heading into 2026.
Look back all of the live updates, analysis, highlights and statistics as No. 16 USC (9-3) takes on TCU (8-4) for bragging rights, a bowl trophy and a look to what both teams hope will be a better 2026:
USC could only manage a field goal on its overtime possession, and then broken tackles allowed TCU to score a touchdown on a checkdown play on fourth-and-20.
What an ugly loss. Probably USC’s ugliest loss of the season. It’s hard to expect a dominant win with so many starters out, but most Trojan fans expected a better effort than this.
Hopefully this lights a fire under USC’s returning players as they get ready for next season. Hopefully no one who hasn’t yet resigned decides to transfer because of this.
The Trojans will want to Forget the Alamo, and fast.
TCU won the coin toss and elected to play defense first. USC will try to score in the end zone with its own logo.
TCU kicker Kyle Lemmerman just hit a 27-yard field goal, and this game is headed to overtime. With the way that USC’s offense and defense was struggling at the end of regulation, I think no Trojan fan is very excited about that. The Trojans should have won this game already.
Keeshawn Silver is down with an apparent injury. TCU has the ball near midfield in USC territory facing first-and-10.
For a brief moment, it looked like Kameron Crawford and Braylan Shelby had just won the game for the Trojans. Crawford hit Ken Seals and jarred the football free, which Shelby picked up and ran into the end zone for what looked like a game-ending score. But, it turned out to be an incomplete forward pass.
TCU still has the ball, on its own 41 yard line. USC cannot allow more than one more first down or the Trojans risk losing the game, or at least going to overtime.
USC cannot get a single first down offensively. Winning this game will be in the hands of Eric Henderson and the Trojan defense. I am very nervous.
Jeremy Payne just ran in a 5-yard score, TCU’s 3rd rushing score of the day by a 3rd different runner. The Trojans just cannot shut the door offensively or defensively. Hopefully that won’t come back to bite them.
TCU’s offense is suddenly driving again. They have gone 67 yards in 9 plays and are on the USC 8 yard line.
The Trojans have played good offense in this game. They have played good defense in this game. They have rarely done it at the same time.
The Horned Frogs are likely going to cut this to a one score game, whether they score a touchdown or kick a field goal. USC needs to focus on securing the kickoff and running out the rest of the clock either way. That will be tough when the Trojans’ running game has been so inconsistent all night long.
According to the broadcast, Ryon Sayeri just set the USC single season field goal record with his 20th made FG of the season. This one, from 41 yards out, was straight and true, as is typical of the mailman.
Trojan fans should be excited to have Sayeri kicking for years to come. The idea that one of the best kickers in the country could get even better is so exciting. They should also be excited about this second half defensive performance. Hopefully Henderson and the crew can keep up the DAWGWORK.
Jayden Maiava hit Tanook Hines for another big, 35-yard gain. Hines is up to 6 catches for 163 yards tonight. His status as a future star has been solidified.
USC should get points on this drive, but facing third-and-long, it likely won’t be a touchdown.
USC is looking to force another three-and-out defensively and get the ball back in the hands of the offense.
Because why not. What a phenomenal photo.
What a moment for the redshirt senior in potentially his final college football game.
JADEN RICHARDSON OH MY GOODNESS.
A 46-yard pass from Jayden Maiava to Tanook Hines got USC within striking distance of a score. Hines made a very nice catch. But Richardson one-upped him…and perhaps one-upped every catch by a wide receiver in college football this season.
Falling backwards, Richardson hauled in Maiava’s 21 yard pass with one hand, getting one foot down into the end zone to give USC a touchdown and the lead back, finally.
Maiava hit Taniela Tupou on a buttonhook route for the two point conversion, giving USC the lead by a full touchdown.
USC went three-and-out offensively, but fortunately, the Trojan defense forced another punt. USC is flying all around the field with great sideline to sideline (east to west) speed in the second half.
Well, we’re back to the game we started with. USC’s offense is sputtering, but the defense looks suddenly dominant again. Alex Graham, Kameron Crawford and Desman Stephens II all shined on that drive and forced another TCU three-and-out.
Let’s hope Eric Henderson made some legitimate halftime adjustments, and that this is more about the USC defense finding its footing than the TCU offense struggling out of the gate again. We’ll find out…hopefully after USC puts some more points on the board.
USC can’t cash in on the turnover. Jayden Maiava threw an interception in the end zone on second and goal, an ill advised throw in the direction of a well-covered Corey Simms.
Maiava is struggling to build any kind of chemistry with any receiver other than Tanook Hines, but he’s also making questionable throws regardless. He’ll need to clean it up if USC wants to win this game.
Jadyn Walker tipped a Ken Seals pass and Christian Pierce picked it off! The Trojans have the football deep in TCU territory. They need to take advantage of this scoring opportunity and finish this drive with a touchdown given the short field they are facing.
USC just had the ball facing a first-and-10 at the TCU 17 with 2 minutes left.
The Trojans did a great job of running out most of the 2 minutes to prevent the TCU offense from having another chance to score before the half. They were unable, however, to score a touchdown. Ryon Sayeri converted his second short field goal of the game, but USC heads to the locker room down by a point.
To win this game, the Trojan offense needs to finish drives and the defense needs to play more consistently. It feels unlikely that the Trojans can shut out the Horned Frogs for the rest of the game. Luckily, they don’t have to: they just need to force enough punts to give their offense an opportunity to keep it close and put up 7 points on offense instead of 3.
Also, the Trojans need someone other than Jayden Maiava, King Miller and Tanook Hines to step up and be a hero in this game. Offensively and defensively.
The USC defense may be floundering after a fast start, but fortunately, the Trojan offense has come to life after a slow start. They are in the red zone again.
Tanook Hines leads all receivers with 4 catches and 82 yards. King Miller has 12 rushes already and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Those two have been the cornerstones of a inexperienced USC offense, as expected. But can any unlikely heroes step up for USC? They will likely need someone like that to step up to win this game.
So that fast start USC had on defense has completely disappeared. TCU isn’t playing incredible offense. They’ve run some nice plays, but nothing totally new or innovative. They’ve also had a handful of drops or penalties. USC is just allowing the Horned Frogs to get whatever they want.
QB Ken Seals punched in the score this time from 1 yard out on a simple option play. The Trojans trail again, and will need an offensive response to be able to take a lead into the locker room at halftime.
USC relied on its three most experienced playmakers that are on the field to carry that entire drive: Jayden Maiava, Tanook Hines and King Miller. Maiava hit Hines twice for 49 yards on that drive. King Miller rushed for 25 yards. USC gained 75 yards total. 74 of the 75 yards came from Maiava, Hines and Miller.
In case you’re curious, the other yard was a 1-yard rush by freshman running back Riley Wormley.
USC regains the lead and Maiava responds nicely to the interception a drive prior. Can the Trojans get back on track defensively?
USC’s defense started very strong against the run, but that faded completely on this drive. Freshman running back Jon Denman has 3 rushes for 23 yards, and he punched in the score to give the Horned Frogs their first lead of the game.
USC’s third drive was sunk after Jayden Maiava tossed an interception. Maiava and tight end Taniela Tupou appeared to have a sort of miscommunication or Tupou ran the wrong route. Still, it was an ill-advised throw by Maiava.
To make matters worse, the Horned Frogs offense is finally in business. TCU is in the red zone and looking to take the lead. QB Ken Seals looks sharp on this drive and star WR Eric McAllister is starting to make his impact felt.
USC has forced back-to-back three-and-outs to start the game under Eric Henderson. The Trojans have allowed only 11 total yards.
Is it too early to start the conversation that USC should retain Henderson as its permanent defensive coordinator? I’m mostly kidding because this is an astronomically small sample size and USC is playing a backup quarterback in this game. But given that Henderson only knew he would call plays in this game since maybe yesterday, it’s great to see him drawing up different looks that are working against the Horned Frogs.
Ryon Sayeri converts a field goal from 40 yards out to give USC the early lead.
After punting on their first drive, the Trojans forced the Horned Frogs to go three-and-out. USC looked better on its second offensive drive. Maiava connected with Hines on a 23-yard strike and King Miller broke off an 11-yard run. Interestingly, USC has been featuring freshman running back James Johnson and Miller in the backfield at the same time in a sort of pro style, split backs formation. Johnson has been blocking for Miller.
Johnson is a former cornerback who converted to running back ahead of the Alamo Bowl. Maiava also hit him for a 6-yard catch and run during the drive.
The USC offense isn’t firing on all cylinders yet, behind an inexperienced offensive line and missing many of its top offensive playmakers from this past season, but there’s plenty of reason to believe they will be able to put up enough points to win this game.
USC goes three-and-out on its first drive. Jayden Maiava seems to have decent chemistry with a group of entirely new receivers. He found Carson Tabaracci and Jaden Richardson on that drive, with Richardson’s catch going for ten yards and a first down.
USC is having trouble getting the running game going, with 3 rushes for 4 yards thus far.
Maiava missed a throw to freshman wideout Tanook Hines on third-and-7, forcing the punt.
USC receives the opening kick; backup running back Riley Wormley takes the opening kickoff to the 23-yard line.
Junior safety Christian Pierce, redshirt senior wide receiver Jaden Richardson, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Tobias Raymond, redshirt senior defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver, and sophomore defensive tackle Jide Abasiri will lead the Trojans against the Horned Frogs. The Trojans are interestingly going with a mix of returning veteran players (Pierce, Raymond) and players out of eligibility (Richardson, Silver). Abasiri has not officially announced if he is returning next season.
Per USC beat writer Connor Morrissette of 247 Sports, former USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will not be with the team for the Alamo Bowl against TCU following news that he was hired by Penn State to become the Nittany Lions‘ next defensive coordinator.
Eric Henderson, USC’s defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator, will take over play calling duties in Lynn’s absence.
How to watch/follow along
“Radio coverage in Los Angeles for USC versus TCU will air on KNX 1070 AM beginning at 4:00 p.m. PT and features Pete Arbogast, Shaun Cody, Cody Kessler, Su’a Cravens, Jordan Moore, Keely Eure and Jason Schwartz (includes 2-hour pre-game and postgame shows).”
USC football has multiple affiliates in the Western United States, including in Honolulu and Las Vegas in addition to various Southern California markets such as Barstow and Thousand Palms.
“Additionally, all USC Football broadcasts can be streamed from anywhere in the world on USCTrojans.com/Listen, the USC Trojans Game Day App, the ESPN LA App and on SiriusXM satellite radio (channels 197, 198, 397 or app channels 959 & 960).”
Here is the TV and streaming information for USC vs TCU, plus the listed start time from the Alamodome:
What channel is USC vs TCU on?
USC vs TCU will broadcast nationally on ESPN amidst an eventful 2025 college football bowl game season. Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick will call the game from the booth in San Antonio. Dana Boyle is the sideline reporter. Streaming options for the game include ESPN Unlimited and also FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
USC vs TCU time todayDate:Â Tuesday, December 30Start time:Â 9:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. PT